Airship



F. E. DHUMY Sept. 67

AIRSHIP Filed March 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l O 0 i 0 O .J`

um, o uw INVENTOR Fern AmdB mw.

ATTORNEYS Sept 69 2 sheets-sheet 2 l ATTORN EYS Patented Senti. 6, -1927.'

team rnmmnn n. DHUMY, or nnennwoon'nnw JERSEY.

- IRSHIP.

Application led March 18. 1926. Serial No. 95,643.

An object of the present invention is to pro'i'ide a strong, durable and hre-prooi structure, tor a dirigible airship.

Another object oit the invention is to provide` tor an airship of the dirigible type, a metal envelope adapted to yield under `the stress ot strong wind pressure and accommodate itself to distortions oit the trame structure Without danger of rupture, the envelope being adaptedv to regain its normal forni when relieved of pressure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an airship structure comprising a. resilient trame and a. resilient metal envelope enclosing it, both traine and envelope being adapt-ed 'to yield vand cushion the impact of a strong blast of wind and to restore the ship to its normal Vshape when relieved of a distorting stress, the metal envelope being soconstructed as to adapt it to be either stretched or compressed longitudinally without danger oi rupture or permanent distortion.

A. further object is the provision of an envelope for an airship adapted to strongly reinforce the trame structure which it encloses.

ln the drawings: Fig. l is a side elevation'ot my improved airship; l llig. 2 a sectional perspective view upon a. larger scale showing the detail struc-ture ot' the envelope;

Fie". 3 a longitudinal sectional view ot a portion oi the frame and envelope et the airship. withthe gas bags removed;

Fig. l a longitudinal sectional viewoi the entire airship;

Fig. 5 a transverse section taken on the line 5 5 ot Fig. d;

Fig. 6 aV transverse section taken on the line 6 6 et Fig. d. and

' Fig. 7 a sectional perspective view showinsg: a modified form of frame structure.

'lhe 1framev structure of the airshipmay he ot any suitable construction. That shown Jin the. drawings and described herein is oi substantially the same form as that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial ill No. 69.833. This structure'includes a lonlll gitiidinal central beam or shaft S which ex? formed ofi a plurality ot straight tubular sections l arranged end to end in axial alignment. Each tubular section is formedj oli thin metal and is filled with a light weight liller 2 such as a specially prepared wood pulp compounded to resist compression. The opposed ends of the dierent sections are connected together by flexible and resilient joint structures. 'lhese structures are not illustrated in detail in the present case lout are diagra'mmatically indicated at 3 in Fig. d. The joints are adapted to permit the shaft S to tier slightly under a transversestress and tend to straighten it when the stress is removed.

lEncircling the central shalt are a plurality ot rings or hoops ll. These hoops are dis posed coneentrically with the shalt and arranged therealong in equally spaced positions and in substantially the saine transverse planes with the joints between the shalt sections. Each hoop is formed ot a series ol curved tubular sections d. y"lhese sections' are formed ot thin metal and are completely filled with wood pulp. or other suitable material \to strengthen them. The opposed ends of the sections are joined together by suitable iointstructures, indicated at 6. The hoops H are compression members and resist strains tending to torce them inwardly toward the shaft.

A series oit tension strands wire or cable. are connected in any suitable manner. to the shaft S at each joint thereof, asl at 3. and extend radially outward from the .ioint and toward the .hoop which encircles it. The strands ot each series are equally spaced around the ioint and their outer ends are connected to coiled springs 9. ese

springs are in turn anchored to the hoop in yany suitahle. manner. A pair of opposed anchor rings lll encircle Aeach shaitt voint and are disposed concentric with it. l'llhe radial strands 7 ot each series are arranged in the,

saine planeand the opposed rings l0 are disposed at opposite'sides' of the series oit strands. The rings are heldin place upon l, 'formed out.

titi

the strands by a series obolts ll which clamp the rings to opposite sides ol the strands. lieading from each ring 10 to the next adjacent shaft ioint- 3 is a series of diagonal ten` i sionstrands 12 formed of wire4 or cable. vl`hese strands lead from points equally spaced around the rings and are connected to the next adjacent vshaft joints at opposite sides of the rings. The diagonal strands leading from adjacent pairs of anchor rings bag is `curved to describe the greater por-- tion of a circle, a gap being left between the closed ends of the bags. rlfhe gaps 15 are arranged in longitudinal alinement in order to provide a corridor space extending throughout the length of the ship, below the shaft.

rllhe frame structure and the gas bags are enclosed by anv envelope E. This envelope comprises a series of annular sections formed of metal and connected together at their ends to form a continuous covering which extends over the entire length of the frame. The envelope sections are in four different forms desi ated respectively 16, 17 18 and 19. The etail structure of these sections is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Each section 16 surrounds one of the hoops H. The hoop is located midway between the ends of the section 16l and is formed with ra straight annular face 20 Awhich provides a seat for a straight medial portion 21 of the envelope section. The section 16 is securely held to the hoop by a ring 22 which encircles the straight portion 21 aiidis fastened to said portion and to the hoop in any suitable manner, as by bolts orI rivets 23. The section extends outwardly from opposite sides of the hoop'and is formed with circum-` ferentially extending corrugations 24. Each edge of the section 1s folded inwardly upon itself around a circular wire 25 to form a bead-like edge. `@ne of the folded edges is clamped between a pair of inner and outer rings 26 and 27 respectively. These clamping rings are formed to lit around thebead and are secured together at opposite sides thereof in any suitable manner, as by rivets or bolts 28.

The section 17 is much shorter than ythe section 16 and one of its end edges is formed to overlap the outer face of a marginal extension 29 formed upon the outer clamping ring` 27. A ring 30 encircles the overlapv'ping edge and the extension 29 and is securely fastened to them in any suitable manner as by rivets 31. The opposed ends of the sectionsl and 17 arethus connected together through the medium of the clamping rings 26 and 27. The opposite edge of the section 17 is turned inwardly for a material accises distance to -form an annular portion "32 -section 17. The outwardly folded edge of the section 18 forms an'annular portion 33 spaced from the body of the section and concentric with it. The section 18 is formed to fit within the section 17. 'llhe folded edges of the two sections define, in cross section, elongated hooks opening in opposite directions. slhese hooks are engaged so that the inturned edge of the section 17 lies within the hook of the section 18, and the outturned edge of the section 18 is disposed within the hook of the section 17. This manner of connecting 'the sections adapts them for relative longitudinal sliding movement, and also provides a substantially weather-tight joint between them. The opposite edge of the section 18 isfsecured to the outer oneof a pair of clamping rings 34 and 35. rlhese rings are similar to the clamping rings 26 and 27 and the marginal edge of the section is secured to the. outer face of the ring 35 by means of a ring 36 and rivets or bolts 37.

The envelope section 19 is straight in longitudinal section and each of its edges is folded inwardly about a circular wire 38 to form a bead. One of the beaded edges is clamped between the rings 34 and'35 in a manner similar to the clamping of the beaded edge of the section 16. The opposite edge of the section '19 has' its bead clamped between a pair of inner and outer clamping rings 39 .and 40 respectively.l rllhe opposed faces of these rings are formed with two spacedipairs of channels ada ted to receive, respectively, the beaded e ge of the section 19 and the adjacent` beaded edge of the next succeeding ssection 16. Fastening elements 41, which may be bolts or rivets, hold the rings 39 and 40 firmly clamped about said beaded edges. The different forms of envelope sections are arranged in this sequencebetween each pair of hoops H flanges and provided with nuts 43. Each ing bolts 42 spaced along the length of thev lll till

cent-hoops at itsv opposite sides by a tension structure comprislng the envelope sections lt and lll' andthe bolts 42 connecting said sections.

'llhe envelope sections are preferably made i eta lightweight, strong, durable and resilient metal such as aluminum. rlhey may,

however, be termed et any suitable material.A By forming the circumferential corrugations 2t in the sections 16 these sections are rendered resilient and are adapted to be either stretched'or compressed in the longitudinal -direction et the airship. Each i section lo is securely :fastened to one ot the hoops; and the next adjacent section t9, lat one side el the hoop is securely connected to the tensioning bolts l2 and to the envelope section le secured to the next adjacent hoop. The tension et the envelope between the two hoops is adi'usted by means of the nuts t3,

'the intermediate sections l'l and l8 sliding npen each other at their joint to accommodate themselves to dierent adjustments. A resilient tension exists in the envelope betvveen the various hoops throughout the length et the ship.,

The trame structure and the envelope together maintain the shape et the airship under normal conditions but are adapted to yield resiliently under the impact ont apowertul wind torce upon the outer envelope and prevent their permanent distortion or rupture. llhen the undue pressure is relieved the various trarne parts and the variens envelope' sections resume their normal shapes and relative positions. 'lhe radial strands 7 and their connected springs extending between the shalt S and the hoop sections, together with the longitudinal tension exerted by the envelope structure, yieldably hold the hempsl in their proper posi;

tions with relation tothe shaft.v ,The diagonal tension strands l2 and their connected springs yieldably hold the shaft sections in alinement. These diagonal strands l2 and their connected springs exert a pull both longitudinally and laterally outward at the shalt joints and are arranged to held the shattsections together end to end in series under comnression throughout the length' olf the shalt, and are adapted also to yieldably resist buckling et the shaft. The resilient envelope structure is also adapted to yield nnder a strong buckling stress Without danger ern rupture., permanent `distortion or separation oi its sections. The ship structure is, therefores adapted to cushion a blow received trom any direction and to right itselt when relieved et pressure.

The strong nreprooit metal envelope Ystrncture provides the maximum protection tor the enclosed trame structure and gas bags. lln .addition the envelope structure ispespecially designed to strongly reinforce the frame structure. A great many framey parts may therefore be eliminated to simplify the structure and reduce itvveight The design A of the envelope provides the very desirable. feature ot resilience without 'a sacrifice of strength or durability. It willbe'obvious that the envelope is susceptible of variations in its structure, and also that it may be used in connection withv trame structures other than that shown. ldonot wish to be lim-- ited, therefore, to the specivic structures disclosed. i

'lhe hoop sections t are shown in Figs., 2 and 3 as square in cross section. 'lhese sections may be et any suitable term. A hoop section t having a diderent cross sectional form is shown in Fig. 7., J

vWhat l claim is:

l, An airship structure comprising an elongated yieldable and resilient trame.; and a longitudinally yielda'be andresilient metal envelope enclosingr said trame.

4l. An -airship structure comprising an elongated trame; a longitudinally resilient metal envelope enclosing said trame and anchored to it at spaced points along its length, the said envelope beingy adapted to exert a yieidable tension between said points et connection with the trame; and adjustable means to vary said tension.

5. ln an airship having an elongated yieldable and resilient trame structure9 an envelope structure to enclose said trame structure comprising a series et annular metal sections adapted to extend transversely around the trame structure and connected together end to 'end longitudinally et it; and means to render the envelope structure longitudinally yieldable and resilient.

"6. ln an airship having an elongated yieldable and resilient trarne structure, an envelope struct-nre adapted to enclose said trame structure comprising a series et annular metal sections adapted to extend transversely around the trame structure and connected together end to end longitudinally el it.. certain et said sections being formed to render the enve'ope structure longituc'linally yieldable and resilient. A

An airship structure comprising an elongated yieldahle and resilient trame structure; an envelope structure adapted A`to enclose said frame structure comprisingY a plurality of metal sections adapted to be disposed transversely around the frame structure and connected together end to end longitudinally of it, the envelope structure being anchored to the trame structure at longitudinally spaced points; and means rendering the envelope structure longitudinally yieldable and resilient between said spaced points.

8. An 'airship structure comprising an elongated yieldable and resilient trame; and a metalenvelope structure enclosing said trame and formed with transversely extending corrugations to render it longitudinally yieldable and resilient.

9. An airsliip structure comprising an elongated yieldable and resilient frame; and an envelope structure enclosing said frame and comprising a series of annular metal sections extending transversely around said iframe and connected together end to end longitudinally of' it, certain ot said annular sections being formed with peripherally extending corrugations to render the envelope structure longitudinally yieldable and resilient.

10., An airship structure comprising an elongated yieldable and resilienttrame; and

. a metal envelope enclosing said trame and `anchored to it at a series ot longitudinally spaced points, said envelope being formed.

with transversely extending corrugations located between said spaced points to render the envelope longitudinally yieldable and rcsilient.

il. ln an airsliip having an elongated trame structure7 an envelope structure adapted to enclose said frame structure and comprising a series of annular metalv sec-` tions adapted to extend transversely around the frame structure and connected together end to end longitudinally ot it; and joint connections between certain of' said sections adapted to allow them a relative longitudinal-movement. 12. lin an airship vhaving an elongated frame structure, an envelope structure adapted to enclose said frame structure and comprising a plurality of metal sections adapted to extend transversely around the trame l structure and connected together end to end longitudinally of it; joint vconnections bef frame; an envelope enclosing said -frame andv attached to it to exert a tension in one di# l recton; and adjustable means to vary said tension.

nen/insee 16. ln an airship, the combination of an elongated yieldable resilient frame structure; and an. envelope structure enclosingthe trame structure and comprising a series of connected longitudinally extensible metal sections formed to extend transversely around the yframe structure and arranged longitudinally tlierealong. l

17. lln an airsliip having an elongated frame structure, an envelope adapted toenclosesaid frame structure and comprising a series of annular metal sections ormed to extend transversely around the frame structure and connected together end toend' longitudinally of it; joint connections between certain ot said sections adapted to allow them a relative longitudinal movement; .and means to render the envelope structure longitudinally yieldable and resilient.

18.111 an airship having an elongated frame jstructure, anv envelope structure adapted to enclose sai'd frame structure and comprising a series ot metal sections formed to extend transversely around the frame structure and connected together end to end longitudinally of it; joint connections between certain of said sections adapted to allow them a relative longitudinal move-- ment; andv means to render certain of the said envelope sections yieldable and resilient longitudinally of the envelope. y

19. ln an airship, an elongated frame structure; an envelope structure to enclose said trame comprising a longitudinal series of metal sections each formed to extend transversely around the frame structureand conneet/ed together end to endy longitudinally of it; means to anchor the envelope to the frame at a series lolf longitudinally spaced points, certain of the envelope sections being formed between saidspaced points with transversel extending-corrugations to render them longitudinally yieldable and resilient; joint structures connecting together certain of said sections at points between the said anchored points and adapted to allow the joined sections a relative longitudinal movement; and

means to adjust the longitudinal tension of structure Titi the envelope between the said spaced points. v i

20. ln an airship, an elongated frame structure comprising a longitudinal series of spaced transversely disposed hoop members; resilient frame means to yieldably hold said hoop members in their proper relatlve lpositions in the series; an envelope structure to enclose said frame comprisinga longitudinal series of metal sections each formed to eX- tend transversely around the frame structure and connected together end to end longitudinally of it; metal joints connect-ing together certain of said sections atpoints between the hoop members and adapted to allow the joined sections a relative longitudinal movement; means to anchor the envelope to each hoop member whereby the envelope will' be anchored to the frame at al series of longi- 15 yieldable and resilient; and means to ad- 20 just the longitudinal tension of the envelope between said spaced points.

In testimony whereof hereunto ax my signature.

' FERNAND E., nHUMY. 

